Hiking in Nyungwe National park
The hiking trails takes from 4 hours to 3 days. There are also 130kilometers of hiking trails that are found in Nyungwe forest National Park in Rwanda. In case you are in this park, you can easily spend a week here as you hike through the ancient afro montane forest.
The
hiking trails
also take few hours to 3 days and there is also the canopy trail, the Rwanda source of the Nile and more, all this is found in
Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda
. More so, Nyungwe forest is also for outdoor adventure and a paradise and the largest afro montane forest in Africa, there are over 13 primate species, butterflies, birds, the orchids in season, and all the hikers will meet as he shares in the Nyungwe forest National park, the hiking trails which run in and through Nyungwe forest. Many people come to Rwanda, to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park and then miss the magnificent Nyungwe Forest with its variety of primates, plants, birds, and the tropical trees.
Ngabwe Trail:
This is also 4.7 kilometers and takes 3 hours to be completed and is moderately as regards to difficulty level. You will also find the trail taking you through much vegetation zones even though it’s a short trail. It can also be extended to be 8 hours long and would then include the Kitabi tea plantation. You are also free to carry packed lunch and eat at the picnic site that offers some good views of the forest. And along the trail, you will view the colobus monkeys, L’Hoest silver monkeys, chimpanzees as well as the Mangabey.
Bigugu Trail
This is somehow difficult and can take 6 hours to be completed. The trail is also about 7km long and it’s too steep and slippery at times. This trail also goes up towards the highest point in the park which is Bigugu peak and is about 2950m in elevation. One also has to be fit in order to complete this trail but it’s also worthwhile the efforts. This is also an excellent trail for the birders where one can see the red collared mountain babbler. You can as well as see the fantastic wild flowers including the orchids and the giant lobelias.
Igishigishigi Trail.
This is also the most famous trail from Uwinka reception area of the park since it also includes the canopy forest walkway. This is a featured attraction in Nyungwe forest National park and it’s also a must do for the guests to the park. The trail is about 2.4 km and also takes .5 hours to be completed including the canopy walk. You will hear be up in the tree tops and view the primates, birds, and butterflies in their habitant. This is an amazing hike that you shouldn’t miss.
Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail
This trail is inside of the caldera like depression and it’s a large swamp which forms a vital watershed with in the park. The trail is moderately difficulty and is 6 km long and also takes 3 hours to be completed. Along this trail, you will find lots orchids in the rainy season and this season starts in October to November and then April and May each year. This trail is also rich in botanical and is good for swamp associated birds like the Grauer’s Rush warber.
Isumo waterfall Trail.
This is also a famous trail and its 10.6km long and is moderately difficult, it takes 4 hours to be completed. First, you go through a tea plantation and then through the patches of forest where you can view many species of monkeys. And on the way to the waterfall, you will also move through the tree ferns which require an imposing eyes and often you will view the Ruwenzori Turaco bird. This is also one of the exciting trails of Nyungwe Forest.
About Source of the Nile Trail.
You can also take an easy hike to Rwanda source of the River Nile. This takes about 1 ½ hours to be completed. You can add this trail to your 3 days Nyungwe safari since there is also not much effort that is needed to this hike. The source of Nile is found in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and here we refer to we are talking about the Rwanda Source of the Nile that was discovered by the rise to the Nile adventure in 2006 where they determined that the head waters of the Rukarara River was the source of the Nile in Nyungwe Forest. Many Ugandans also don’t agree about this source of the Nile.
Karamba Birding Trail
This is also 4 kilometers long trail and it comes to the walks and hikes with in Nyungwe Forest and much of this hike is a flat and open area of the forest. This was also an area where gold mining was done and later on, it became a quarry for road building material and then am army camp. This is also one of the least muddy trails with in Nyungwe Forest and you will be able to spot some of the Orchids, the giant tree ferns as well as the Dent’s Monkey’s that are so rare to find. This is also one of the easiest trail with in Nyungwe Forest Park.
Muzimu Trail
This is also a 5.2 km trail and is also remote and takes about 3.5 hours to be completed and is also moderately difficulty. The trail also passes through the open heath like shrubs and vegetation. The trail also has much wild flowers along it and there are also non forest birds along the way and you will also have a 360 degrees view of the park as well as Lake Kivu in the far distance. Also on a clear day, you can view the Virunga Volcanoes that are a tower over Rwanda,
Imbaraga Trail.
The hike to this trail is taken out of the Uwinka reception center and is also one that is so how difficult. Its 10km long and takes over 6 hours to be completed. The word Imbaraga also means strength and it shows of how difficult the trail is. The trail also takes in four different waterfalls and you have a chance to view the chimpanzees. The trail might also be difficult but generally rewarding.
Irebero Trail.
The word Irebero also means view point and its 3.4 km and you will have very good scenic views. This trail is moderately difficult and takes only 3 hours to be completed. The views here are also worthwhile the hike. And it was designed to show you the beautiful views from high altitude and be able to look onto Rwanda’s borders and look at Lake Kivu. This trail also take you on a loop around the two highest peaks that are found in Nyungwe forest.
Umugote Trail.
This trail was named after Syzygium tree that are commonly found along this trail. This is 3.6 km long and can be completed in only 3 hours. The hike rises up the side of the mountain and you will also have great views of the pristine part of the forest as you also go through the valley and see the forest’s rich biodiversity. On a clear day, you will view the mountains of Burundi.
The Rukuzi Trail
This is also a fairly difficult trail to hike and it takes in the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest and Chimpanzees are often the main reason why the guests visit Nyungwe forest. And apart from the chimps, the trail takes in the stunning vistas for the hikers to vie along the way. This trails also takes 5 hours to be fully completed and its 9 km in length. Even though you don’t see the chimps, the scenery along the hike is so fantastic.
Umuyove Trail
This is one of the famous hikes with in the park and I relatively short and filled with fantastic views of the waterfalls and the orchids along with many other wild flowers for you to enjoy the hike. The Umuyove also means Mahogany and many of these trees line this trail which makes it a more enjoyable hike. On this hike, you will meet birds and primates and the trail is only 5.5 km and it takes 3.5 hours to be completed.
The Congo Nile Divide Trail
This is also 42 km and takes 3 to 4 days along the ridge with in the forest that separates the river basins which flows into the Nile and on the other side of the ridge into the river basin of Congo. This is also for the experienced hikers and includes camping in the forest as you make the 42km trek through the ridge of the forest. This is also good multi day hike and will be most memorable and is not to be confused with the popular Congo Nile Trail that runs alongside Lake Kivu in western Uganda. This is also the longest hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest.
